Drake Maye makes Patriots history by breaking this Tom Brady record
Fans of the New England Patriots had to wait just four years before the team found its next franchise quarterback. Not only did they get a franchise QB, but a true successor to Tom Brady.
Drake Maye breaks record held by Patriots legend
On Sunday, Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye set a new franchise record for the highest completion percentage in a single game. Maye had a 91.3 completion percentage (21 completions on 23 pass attempts) in the Patriots' 31-13 drubbing of the Tennessee Titans, throwing for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
The quarterback Maye surpassed was Brady himself, who had an 88.5 completion percentage against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 27, 2009. Brady threw for 267 yards with 23 completions on 26 attempts in the Patriots' 35-7 win and connected on four touchdown passes.
One dimension to Maye's game that Brady didn't have is his ability to scramble and gain yards with his legs. In Week 7, Maye rushed for 62 yards on eight scrambles and made some more history there, too.
According to NFL Network & NFL Media researcher Jack Andrade, Maye became the fourth player in the Super Bowl era with two or more touchdown passes, two or fewer incompletions and over 60 yards rushing in a single game. The other three players to accomplish a similar feat are Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, former Washington Commanders quarterback Robert Griffin III and former Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Walter Payton.
Maye makes the Patriots a contender once again
Maye's rookie year was overshadowed by the Patriots' 4-13 record and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo's miserable one-and-done stint. He showed flashes of his elite arm talent and athleticism, but with head coach Mike Vrabel in charge, and returning offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels guiding him this year, Maye is starting to realize his full potential.
Per Next Gen Stats, Maye is also the only quarterback this season with multiple touchdown passes that traveled over 50 yards in the air. Maye threw his second such pass during Sunday's game with a 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte that traveled 52.6 yards in the air.
Patriots fans have to be ecstatic seeing Maye blossom not just into a team leader but a bona fide NFL superstar. The team is now 5-2 and in first place in the AFC East.
With Maye also on a rookie contract, the Patriots' championship window is open again as they can look to pay top free agents like wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Some franchises never get another chance to be a contender when a Hall of Fame leader like Brady leaves; the Patriots are not one of them.
Bills 2 surprise preseason roster cuts to watch out for before Week 1
There have been some downs as the Buffalo Bills work their way through the preseason. Included in the mix was an embarrassing performance against the Bears. And here is some possible fallout, with two surprise preseason roster cuts to watch before Week 1.
Leading the way is wide receiver Curtis Samuel. He spent last year with the Bills, totaling 31 catches for 253 yards and a touchdown. But he’s looking like a roster casualty for the 2025 season, according to Syracuse.com. Ryan Talbot suggested a trade could be in store if the team can work one out.
“Multiple teams are looking for help at wide receiver, which could benefit the Bills in unloading Curtis Samuel’s contract,” Ryan Talbot wrote.
Bills might part ways with WR Curtis Samuel
At least Samuel has been able to show good things of late, according to a post on X by Johnathan Acosta.
“A positive sign for the #Bills to see WR Curtis Samuel ramp up his activity. Samuel (hamstring) not just doing individual work, but also on the field for 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Samuel after practice: “Being back out here, I felt amazing. I was excited.”
And his quarterback took notice, according to Sports Illustrated.
“It's a little bit of juice,” Allen said. “The shiftiness, the quickness that he has when the ball's in his hands.
“He's an electric football player, so just getting him back to health and getting him out there and getting reps with us, that's, you know, it was good to see that today.”
And head coach Sean McDermott also said good things about Samuel, according to a YouTube video via Sports Illustrated.
“I would say he looks good in his two days back to this point,” said McDermott. “The first day, looked good and looked fast. Looked fresh, which happens when you're not out there through the 18, 17 practices leading up to then, or 15, whatever it was.
“Now it's, hey, how does he look through the weekend here? And then, what's the role, right? So, everyone has to have a role, and how big or small is it, and what does it look like?”
If the Bills trade Samuel instead of cutting him, the 49ers might be among the interested teams, according to a post on X by Dianna Russini.
“The Jets are among several teams monitoring the trade market for potential wide receiver additions, per sources. The 49ers and Vikings are also making calls.”
DB Darrick Forrest might not stick
The safety hangs around on the third team, and he might not find a path to the 53-man roster. Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Jordan Hancock, and Cam Lewis are expected to survive the cut.
“Forrest could sign elsewhere if he’s let go,” Talbot wrote. “But he’s a potential practice squad option.”
There was no loss of respect when Forrest went from the Commanders to the Bills. His former head coach praised him, according to a post on X by Sal Capaccio.
“Dan Quinn on new Bills safety Derrick Forrest: “D-Fo is a really tough, strong safety. Really committed. But I think his toughness, the physicality, that's what stands out to me.”
